tracking primordial germ cells

in sea urchin embryos

About the lab

Toxins & Transporters

Global marine pollutants inhibit P-gp

NEWS

September 2017 – More POPs in the news

Our latest study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, examined persistent organic pollutant levels (POPs) in yellowfin tuna from around the world’s oceans. The results indicate that the pollutant load depends on the location of catch, varying in level by as much as 36 times between sites. We also found that overall pollutant levels are positively linked to the presence of a small subset of pollutants, termed Transporter Interfering Chemicals or TICs. This new class of chemicals may be involved in enhancing bioaccumulation of chemicals in organisms by inhibiting cellular defense proteins. This research lays the groundwork for future studies to examine natural and anthropogenic sources of these chemicals, and to examine how pollutant distribution and bioaccumulation patterns change over time, particularly under rapidly changing climate conditions.

You can read additional news coverage about our study at EHP, the LA Times and NPR. Congrats Dr. Nicklisch!